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Lindsay Lohan case: No deal in sight as she returns to court

February 23, 2011 | 7:05
am

As Lindsay Lohan faces a judge Wednesday morning, sources told the Los Angeles Times she was not close to a plea deal.

Sources familar with the case told The Times that prosecutors were unlikely to accept a settlement in the case without some amount of jail time.Lohan's attorney has said the actress might be willing to plea bargain in the theft case if she were to receive no jail time. Lohan is accused of stealing a necklace from a Venice jewelry store.

Dmitry Gorin, a veteran former prosecutor, said Lohan's attorney Shawn Chapman Holley would have a hard time avoiding another trip to jail for her client. He noted that Lohan was already on probation for a 2007 conviction for driving under the influence. If she were to receive probation after being charged with a felony, Gorin said, the district attorney could face accusations of giving Lohan special treatment.

Her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, has said she is willing to consider a deal.

"Ms. Lohan maintains her innocence, and now that I've seen the police reports, I believe the case is entirely defensible," Holley said in an interview with CNN last week. "Having said that, we will entertain a discussion concerning a plea if it means no jail so that she can move forward with her recovery and her career."

The actress entered a plea of not guilty in the case before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz, but the judge immediately revoked her probation related to a 2007 drunk-driving conviction.